Strike at Rotterdam Port Ends – Over the last three weeks, dock workers at Rotterdam’s APM Terminals have severely disrupted shipping by organizing rolling wildcat strikes and forcing some ships to divert to the Port of Antwerp. Fortunately, dock workers have suspended their campaign after agreeing on a new wage contract with APM Terminals. The agreement will be voted on by approximately 700 dock workers next week.
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Congestion at Indian Ports Concerns U.S. Companies – VariousU.S. companies that operate in India are expressing concern about infrastructure and port congestion issues inhibiting economic growth. By 2030, over 65 Indian cities will have a population of over one million. Francisco Sanchez, Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade, is currently leading a contingent of 12 U.S. companies and expressing these concerns with Indian officials.
Read more from The Economic Times
U.S. – Korea Trade Pact Effective in March – On March 15, 2012, the long-stalled trade agreement between the U.S. and South Korea will go into effect. This agreement to eliminate certain tariffs and trade barriers is America’s biggest deal since the 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) with Canada and Mexico.
Read more from CBS News
Port of Rotterdam is Expanding – The Maasgeul channel at the Port of Rotterdam is a navigation channel to the North Sea and serves as an access route for sea-going ships with a draft of more than 14.3 meters. Currently, the Maasgeual is about six miles long and 500 to 600 m wide. By the summer of 2012, it will be widened to 240 m so that sea-going ships may pass each other and avoid wait times for ships entering the port.
Read more from Eye for Transport
